Speeches

Remarks by Governor Judy Martz
Powell County Chamber
October 24, 2001

Check Against Delivery

I thank you so much for the opportunity to join you this evening.

Our rural heritage and our sense of community make us who we are - resilient, resourceful and determined people.

If Montana is to experience the growth needed in this new century - we must work as one -- united to the core. We're in this together - and only together shall we overcome our challenges to build new jobs - new futures - a new Montana.

I am excited to report to you that, after less than a year in office, we are already making great progress.

Montana's private sector is creating jobs. Just yesterday, our Department of Labor announced that Montana's unemployment rate is down to 4.6 percent - three-tenths of a percent lower than this time last year -- and the lowest in 22 years. This year, we have added over 5,300 new jobs to our state's economy, and we are committed to do more.

Working together, we will do more by continuing to make economic growth, education-funding reform, energy development, and tax reform our top priorities.

I want you to know that my office is dedicated to you - the people who are already here employing Montanans, paying taxes, and contributing to their communities - you are my first priority.

You deserve a government that will remove barriers to business growth and expansion. You deserve a government that will respond to your needs and concerns - that will listen to your ideas and suggestions - that will help you grow and expand.

I commit to you that we will be that government. Economic development in this state is my first priority.

And, on that note, I want to congratulate you for your efforts to post Powell County businesses on the web. Through continued dedication, we can effectively educate customers about our products, and can prove that our communities are a great place to do business.

As many of you know, my husband and I have been small business owners nearly all of our adult lives. We personally know what it takes to sacrifice, so that employees can be paid. We know what it's like to be up at daybreak, and still working at sunset, in order to pay the bills and keep the doors of your business open.

That's why the centerpiece of my economic plan involved a comprehensive reorganization of the Department of Commerce, with legislation we passed in the 2001 Legislative Session.

The Department of Commerce is now specifically focused on economic development. Focused on doing what is necessary for you to succeed - to maintain, build, and expand your businesses here in Montana.

Through these reforms, our goal is to make it easier for you to do business in this great state.

We have also created the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, which is located right down the hall from my office in the State Capitol.

Its sole function is to promote Montana businesses, attract complimentary businesses to the state, and develop our workforce for better paying jobs - and for more productive companies.

As you know, we hired Kalispell native Dave Gibson to be our Chief Business Officer. And let me tell you, Dave hit the ground running. Since he came on board this summer, he has been traveling around the state to learn from you, as he begins to implement a long-term economic strategy for Montana.

In a study of good places to do business, which was conducted by business people from right here in Montana, our state came in dead last among the fifty states. That has to change.

We will not leave this office without making Montana a more business-friendly state. And to do that, we need your help.

In order to turn the economic tide, we need input from you - the Montana community. I strongly encourage you to send your ideas, thoughts, concerns and challenges to Dave, so that we can build a successful business environment.

Together, we will put Montana 'on the business map'. Our state must not be recognized only as a vacation destination but a business destination as well.

With quantifiable goals and objectives, we will create a climate that will keep our kids working and raising families in Montana.

We will develop strategies for appropriate tax reform. We will strengthen our educational system. We will maintain and build our traditional natural resource sectors. And we will accomplish all of this with reliable, affordable energy for our residents and businesses.

First, in regard to tax reform, I want to lower the top marginal income tax rates. We need a tax structure that gives Montanans the incentive to turn their ideas into jobs -- their visions into realities.

Education is also critically important. We have great schools - and we're producing excellent students. We must craft curriculums to match the needs of job creators in the 21st century. And we must give students the tools they need to be successful.

Make no mistake, Montana schools do a tremendous job of providing a top-notch education for our students.

Economic development and education go hand-in-hand. We will work in partnership with businesses to keep our students in this state.

In addition to transitioning to the 'new economy', I remain committed to our traditional resource sectors -- agriculture, resource development, timber harvest, transportation and manufacturing.

We cannot forget the roots of this great state.

And, of course, all of our economic development objectives, both in the new economy, and in the traditional, resource-based sectors, are dependent on affordable, reliable energy.

All of us in the Western states are struggling to deal with an energy situation that has no easy answers. Contrary to some political rhetoric you might have heard, the energy crisis has much more to do with supply, demand, and Mother Nature, than it has to do with any legislation.

California's problems, for instance, started when demand far exceeded supply in the midst of a drought. At the same time, newly proposed power plants in the state were bogged down in lawsuits and regulations.

Let me illustrate the effect that the California's problems have had on all of the northwestern states.

Our neighbors in Idaho who are supplied by Idaho Power Company have had to swallow a 31 percent increase in electricity rates.

Here at home, I urged our state's Public Service Commission to take a hard look at Montana Power's proposal to increase consumer rates by 30 percent beginning July 1, 2002.

Democrat leaders criticized me for standing up for consumers, while the Missoulian cheered for me. Go figure.

But let me make one thing crystal clear. I am focused on getting the best possible rate for Montana's residential and small business consumers. If I am challenged by my opponents for those efforts, so be it.

I will take every possible opportunity to support a better rate for Montana Power's consumers.

Remember, Idaho increased their rates by 31 percent this year. I'm here to tell you that what's acceptable for Idaho is simply unacceptable for Montana. (pause)

We have a bold agenda - an agenda based on economic development, education-funding reform, and stable, secure power supplies for our citizens.

Our vision is to make our new Montana a better Montana, by building on the traditional values that have always made us great.

We must be aggressive. And, collectively, we must send a message loud and clear, that Montana is open for business.

We need you. You are the job creators. You are the job providers.

I know that if we all roll up our sleeves and work together, we can make this a better place for all of us.

Thank you, and God Bless.

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